Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl [DVD] [2003]

If you are looking for an adventure series of films, this has to be up there with Lotr and Harry potty, different styles of films but very much at the top. The acting is great and Depp is outstanding. Highly recommended.

Best movie of the franchise, hands down. Hits different with subtitles believe it or not.

After my 15th viewing of the film (yes 15, I know, sad) I have decided that I should share my thoughts on the summer blockbuster. I am trying to persuade the minority of you that haven't already been to see this to go NOW before you have to wait until December to see it. You will miss out on the big screen experience that is something not to be missed trust me.It all began many months ago when I heard that Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp - the two most attractive men in the film business today were staring in a new swashbuckling pirate movie. I couldn't wait to get down to the cinema and see it as soon as was humanly possible.So clutching 2 advanced preview tickets (Sorry to brag but I was so proud I got them!) in my sweaty hands standing outside my local cinema on the 7th of August I prepared myself for some major swooning but expected the film, to be quite honestly, complete pants.I had been reading every review on the Pirates of the Caribbean I had come across as, being a huge HUGE fan of The Lord of the Rings (And before you think I only like it because of a certain Mr Bloom - that is most defiantly not the case, LOTR is a masterpiece in both the filmographic and literary worlds and I was in to it LONG before the films first graced our cinema screens (although Bloom is an added bonus)) I had wanted to see Orlando in another role and to see how he fared.All the reviews I had read up to it's release in America had pretty much gone along the lines of it being useless and only worth going for the attractive people involved, it seemed that it wasn't going to be a hit but very much a flop. But then after it US release the reviews changed their tune (and I hope they are all very sorry to poor Gore and that they are grovelling for his apology) as all of they were raving about it and saying it was a brilliant Hollywood master piece sure to become the blockbuster of the summer. To be honest though I had my doubts in the beginning - based on a Disney ride and called such a cheesy name - Pirates of the Caribbean; curse of the black pearl, I mean come on, it just shouts "CHEAP MONEY GRABBING IDEA FROM THE DISNEY BIGSHOTS"But going into the film the first thing that hit me was the music - which I have since bought the CD of, Klaus's music is a masterpiece in itself - not interfering with the film but carefully underlining it (I especially love how when Jack and Will are fighting in the Blacksmiths that their sword clashes coincide with the music - listen carefully).The opening scene really sets the pace off - the child actors are brilliantly cast and we will without a doubt be seeing them again in years to come. The scene is set and the adrenaline is already pumping.Then it's the lead female role entrance - played by brilliant up and coming young actress Kiera Knightly (I would compliment her more except for the fact she is a lot prettier than me). Throughout the film she does very well indeed which is surprising as her only other films so far are small cast and low budget movies such as the AWFUL "Bend it like Beckham" and the confusing and disappointing "The Hole". She will go far.Now to the dashing Mr Bloom, his opening scene is great and a laugh but I must say, and I am trying desperately here not to offend any big fans, but Bloom really hasn't really got the grasp on his acting potential. He is OK as amateurs go but is still finding his footing and perhaps doesn't yet feel secure on a movie set as is clearly apparent in his acting. But nevertheless he does a good job and portrays the love struck young Turner well.But then, THEN comes the best and most spectacular entrance of the entire film, or I could go even as far as to say THE best that I have ever seen (but then again I may be biased by my deep love for the Deppster). The music that accompanies the entrance of the show stealer is amazing listen out. I won't ruin what Jack's entrance is - mind you if you haven't seen it yet you deserve me to ruin it for you! GET DOWN TO THAT CINEMA RIGHT NOW!!!! So with the quirky and amazingly camp and yet strangely attractive *CAPTAIN* Jack Sparrow on the scene the film speeds off at a fast pace. **(You really need to have seen the film to know why that parts very important). With all the best lines and puns, Jack really steals the show, he has it all the funny walk the camp demeanour and the roguish good looks - I think its the Kohl!Johnny Depp is amazing - a definite Oscar is waiting for him after that performance, he really WAS Jack Sparrow - completely becoming the character. He is the best part in the film for me, charming, funny and very strange but still a character that everyone can love, Johnny has captured the character perfectly. I am now even more in love with Johnny than I was when he first appeared over 20 years ago - it's hard to believe he is 40, he still has the good looks of a 25 year old - some people get all the luck.But back to the film! Overall it is amazingly well done and Gore deserves a prize for it that I hope he will get in the coming film award season. And now, in danger of exceeding the 1000 word limit, I ask you once more to see this film and ponder - Why is the rum gone?

This was hardly the most anticipated film of 2003 - given that the summer was to see both The Hulk and Matrix Reloaded. As summer unfolded the big name blockbusters were being torn apart at the box office - The Hulk in particular not living up to the hype. No one wanted to see Pirates, after all it was based on a Disney ride, and people shook their heads with dismay that Johnny Depp had signed on wondering what had become of the world.The last pirate film had sunk beneath the waves (Geena Davis and Rene Harlin sinking Carolco into the bargain) - this new film was bound to be a wretch and a stinker that would do no business at all.Everyone was wrong.POTC is a stonker, forget the tired jibes that it is overlong and the romance plot doesn't really work (The Princess Bride - a splendid film in every way - has at its core a fairly leaden romance plot). This is a small quibble in any case, and who cares when Johnny Depp steals every scene he is in with ease. For those who care to know these things he was doing a very passable imitation of his old chum Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones - adding more fuel to the flames of a singular performance.Plot wise it is fairly straight forward 'Pirates seek buried treasure' although with the twist that they are cursed and need to find the treasure to lift said curse. There are plenty of nods to classic Pirate films of the golden age - there is a scene where Jack uses an upside down row boat to escape which is lifted straight from Burt Lancaster starrer 'The Crimson Pirate'.Other performers in the film do tend to vanish into the background a bit - but it is fun doing a spot of TV regular spotting (Gareth from the Office, Jack Davenport from Couplng, and Kevin McNally from very nearly everything). Geoffrey Rush does seem to be having fun as chief villian, and the beautiful Keira Knightly should see her star rise significently after a decent performance. Only poor old Orlando Bloom, who spends most of the film with Jack Sparrow, fails to put any sparkle into his rather lacklustre and underwritten hero.It is a good sign of the film that I come to the very special effects last - these are used relatively sparingly and always jaw dropping in quality - the skeletal crew walking under the ships is truly breathtaking. Take note those who would stuff films full of CGI - if you are going to do it make it very very good or it will age the film within months of its release - all the effects here are rendered with skill and imagination, along with a good sense of humour.Make no bones about it (pun intended) this is Depps show, and if you missed it on the big screen - which is unlucky since you will not get the full benefit on the telly - I strongly recommend a look.

Bought this product which was described as a North American compatible DVD, but in fact it was only for Europe :( Complete and total waste of time and money.

THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (THE OTHER BEST MOVIES ARE THE OTHER PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MOVIES) This particular copy of the movie has great quality, sound, and fluidity! :)

tried it on two different DVD machines and the error message was 'wrong region'. Not sure what part of the world this is made for as couldn't find anything on the text on the case.

i love it

won't play in my blue ray player